Material Constitution Research Articles

Subsoiling Operations Concurrent to the Distribution of Acidity Amendments in the Soil Profile: The Response from Soybeans

In the Brazilian Cerrado region, the soils have significant agricultural potential; however, they are naturally acidic soils due to the constitution of the source material and the high weathering process. Liming has been the main tool for correcting acidity and supplying Ca2+ and Mg2+ to the soil; however, the effect of the corrector is limited to the soil surface. Consequently, the benefits of liming are restricted to the surface layer of the soil and do not solve the subsurface acidity problems. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the subsoiling operation together with the application of a soil acidity corrector on the nutrition and productivity of soybean crops. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the Federal University of Jataí in the state of Goias, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design, consisting of six treatments and four replications. The experiment was implemented in 2018, and it utilized the following treatments: T1: control (without subsoiling and liming); T2: the application of superficial limestone, without incorporation at a dose of 1 Mg ha−1; T3: limestone applied through gravity up to 60 centimeters (cm) deep using a subsoiler, with a spacing between the rods of 0.37 meters (m), at a dose of 2.82 Mg ha−1; T4: limestone applied with the same implement used in T3, at the same dose, but with a spacing between the rods of 0.75 m; T5: subsoiling, without the use of liming; and T6: subsoiling and, subsequently, liming on the surface at a dosage of 1 Mg ha−1. The superficial application of the oxide increases the mineral nutrition of plants, the production components, and the productivity of soybeans. There is no agronomic feasibility for using the subsoiler to incorporate limestone.

Mereological Nihilism and Material Constitution

AbstractMereological nihilists typically employ a paraphrase strategy in order to mitigate the apparent absurdity of their denial of the existence of composite objects. I argue here that the nihilist's paraphrase strategy is incomplete, because no schema for generating nihilistically acceptable paraphrases of sentences concerning material constitution has ever been given. Nor can an adequate schema be arrived at by generalising things that nihilists have already said. I fill this lacuna in the nihilist's account by developing and defending a novel paraphrase schema that makes essential reference to the determinable‐determinate relation that holds between arrangement‐properties instantiated by the simples.

Optical Active Meta-Surfaces, -Substrates, and Single Quantum Dots Based on Tuning Organic Composites with Graphene.

In this communication, the design and fabrication of optical active metamaterials were developed by the incorporation of graphene and joining it to different substrates with variable spectroscopical properties. It focuses on how graphene and its derivatives could generate varied optical setups and materials considering modified and enhanced optics within substrates and surfaces. In this manner, it is discussed how light could be tuned and modified along its path from confined nano-patterned surfaces or through a modified micro-lens. In addition to these optical properties generated from the physical interaction of light, it should be added that the non-classical light pathways and quantum phenomena could participate. In this way, graphene and related carbon-based materials with particular properties, such as highly condensed electronics, pseudo-electromagnetic properties, and quantum and luminescent properties, could be incorporated. Therefore, the modified substrates could be switched by photo-stimulation with variable responses depending on the nature of the material constitution. Therefore, the optical properties of graphene and its derivatives are discussed in these types of metasurfaces with targeted optical active properties, such as within the UV, IR, and terahertz wavelength intervals, along with their further properties and respective potential applications.

Social Life of Zines and Other DIY Micro-Media Constituting American DIY Communities and Scenes

The primary function of zines is often considered to be creative and expressive, and the function of other types of DIY (“do-it-yourself”) micro-media as utilitarian (e.g., flyers as promotion), but all of these media also perform important social roles. DIY micro-media (e.g., zines, flyers, Internet pages, graffiti, wall signs, and “thank you” notes) are in this way embroiled in social lives of their makers and help them constitute themselves culturally and socially. DIY micro-media in this way also acquire their own social lives. Inspired by my ethnographic observations of the social lives of DIY micro-media within particular American DIY houses and music scenes, I examine in this article not only the content of DIY zines and micro-media (i.e., to study them as texts), but primarily the social role of zines and other DIY micro-media in the material, social, and affective constitution of DIY and music communities and scenes (i.e., to study them as social agents). Therefore, I show how these micro-media operate as material and media objects that are simultaneously shaped by and shaping human and social relations. By combining zine and micro-media studies with anthropology and material culture studies, I offer in this article a nuanced micro perspective, both ethnographic and emic, of the social processes implicated in the social and economic mutual constitution between media objects and music/art communities and scenes.

Best practices, errors, and perspectives of half a century of plant translocation in Italy.

Conservation translocations are becoming common conservation practice, so there is an increasing need to understand the drivers of plant translocation performance through reviews of cases at global and regional levels. The establishment of the Italian Database of Plant Translocation (IDPlanT) provides the opportunity to review the techniques used in 186 plant translocation cases performed in the last 50years in the heart of the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. We described techniques and information available in IDPlanT and used these data to identify drivers of translocation outcomes. We tested the effect of 15 variables on survival of translocated propagules as of the last monitoring date with binomial logistic mixed-effect models. Eleven variables significantly affected survival of transplants: life form, site protection, material source, number of source populations, propagation methods, propagule life stage, planting methods, habitat suitability assessment, site preparation, aftercare, and costs. The integration of vegetation studies in the selection of suitable planting sites significantly increased the success of translocation efforts. Although posttranslocation watering had a generally positive effect on translocation outcome, other aftercare techniques did not always increase transplant survival. Finally, we found that how funds were spent appeared to be more important than the actual amount spent. Plant translocations in Italy and in the Mediterranean area should account for the complexity of speciation, gene flow, and plant migrations that has led to local adaptations and has important implications for the choice and constitution of source material.

Influence of Specimen Geometries on the Viscoelastic Properties of Bituminous Mixtures in Torsion

A standard test method for determining the linear viscoelastic properties of bituminous mixtures in torsion prescribes the use of a dynamic shear rheometer. The method uses a prismoidal specimen (rectangular cross section) sliced from a Superpave gyratory compacted sample. However, the geometry utilized in the standard is a non-axisymmetric cross section, which leads to the development of warping stress when the specimen is tested in torsion using a dynamic shear rheometer. On the other hand, axisymmetric geometry, such as cylinder (circular cross section), does not warp when subjected to torsion. This study investigates the influence of the two specimen geometries, namely prismoidal and cylindrical, on the linear viscoelastic properties of bituminous mixtures in torsion. The specimens are obtained from a bituminous mixture with a nominal maximum aggregate size of 13.2 mm, and statistical analysis is carried out to determine whether the material constitution in the specimen geometries is identical. A frequency sweep experiment is conducted at 10, 20, and 30°C with a constant strain amplitude of 0.001% in the frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 20 Hz. The absolute shear modulus of the prismoidal specimens is found to be higher than that of cylindrical specimens because of warping stresses in prismoidal specimens. It was seen that the effect of warping stress is greater at higher temperatures and lower frequencies. Correction factors are used to correct the absolute shear modulus of prismoidal specimens. These findings highlight the importance of considering correction factors for warping when characterizing prismoidal bituminous mixtures in torsion.

JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION AS INFORMAL CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES: QUESTIONS OF LEGITIMACY IN THE ASPECT OF THE DOCTRINE OF CONSTITUENT POWER

Background: Stability is considered a traditional legal value, particularly in relation to the stability of the constitution. This emphasis on stability stems from the need to protect the text of the constitution from frequent and unreasonable changes. However, stability must be combined with dynamism, a task primarily shouldered by the judicial branch of power through constitutional interpretation. Notably, ideas of judicial rule-making and the notion of a living/invisible constitution are only some manifestations of such a phenomenon as informal changes to the constitution. Yet, the potential risks posed by judicial intervention and the legitimacy concerns surrounding such informal changes warrant scrutiny. What is the correlation of informal constitutional changes through interpretation with the traditional doctrine of sovereign constituent power? What should be the limit of the interpretation of the constitution so that such an interpretation is not recognised as abusive? These and other issues are the focal point of research in the article. Methods: The following methods were used to research the main approaches to informal changes to the constitution. The system-structural method was used to characterise the concept of a living and invisible constitution and varieties of informal constitutional changes and to establish the relationship between these concepts. The logical-legal method made it possible to find out the content of the positions of scientists regarding the potential violation of the boundaries of interpretation of the constitution by the courts, as well as arguments for and against the legitimacy of judicial interpretation, an assessment of informal changes in the constitution from the standpoint of modern views on the doctrine of constituent power. Additionally, the comparative method was employed to study the experience of foreign countries in terms of the characterisation of binding interpretation. Results and Conclusions: The study analyses the current state of the concept of informal changes to the constitution through judicial interpretation, its connection with the doctrine of constituent power, as well as the question of the legitimacy of such an interpretation and its limits. The primary conclusion is that judicial activity guarantees the protection of the material constitution, principles and human rights. That is, the judiciary does not allow sovereign decisions made democratically (by the people) to infringe on human rights. Thus, the text of the constitution is interpreted in a conformal way to individual rights. Questions about the role of the judiciary, the possibility of informal changes to the constitution, and judicial lawmaking as such can be an indicator for distinguishing between authoritarian/totalitarian countries and democratic ones.

Mineralogical Features Associated with Material Constitution and Process Properties of Difficult Lead–Zinc Ore

Mineralogical Features Associated with Material Constitution and Process Properties of Difficult Lead–Zinc Ore

The biomechanical effects of different membrane layer structures and material constitutive modeling on patient-specific cerebral aneurysms.

The prevention, control and treatment of cerebral aneurysm (CA) has become a common concern of human society, and by simulating the biomechanical environment of CA using finite element analysis (FEA), the risk of aneurysm rupture can be predicted and evaluated. The target models of the current study are mainly idealized single-layer linear elastic cerebral aneurysm models, which do not take into account the effects of the vessel wall structure, material constitution, and structure of the real CA model on the mechanical parameters. This study proposes a reconstruction method for patient-specific trilaminar CA structural modeling. Using two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI), we comparatively analyzed the effects of the differences between linear and hyperelastic materials and three-layer and single-layer membrane structures on various hemodynamic parameters of the CA model. It was found that the numerical effects of the different CA membrane structures and material constitution on the stresses and wall deformations were obvious, but does not affect the change in its distribution pattern and had little effect on the blood flow patterns. For the same material constitution, the stress of the three-layer membrane structure were more than 10.1% larger than that of the single-layer membrane structure. For the same membrane structure, the stress of the hyperelastic material were more than 5.4% larger than that of the linear elastic material, and the displacement of the hyperelastic material is smaller than that of the linear elastic material by about 20%. And the maximum value of stress occurred in the media, and the maximum displacement occurred in the intima. In addition, the upper region of the tumor is the maximum rupture risk region for CA, and the neck of the tumor and the bifurcation of the artery are also the sub-rupture risk regions to focus on. This study can provide data support for the selection of model materials for CA simulation and analysis, as well as a theoretical basis for clinical studies and subsequent research methods.

Anti-sedimentation mechanism of rotary magnetorheological brake integrating multi-helix microstructure

Solving the sedimentation problem of magnetorheological (MR) fluids is the key to promoting the application of MR actuators for long-term storage. Current strategies for mitigating MR fluid sedimentation focus on improving the material constitution of MR fluids. However, the sedimentation is bound to emerge over time as a result of the density mismatch between carbonyl iron particles and carrier liquids. Therefore, more robust approach to solve the particle sedimentation should be considered, such as improving the robustness of the MR actuator. This paper proposes a novel anti-sedimentation MR brake (AS-MRB) that integrates a multi-helix microstructure on the shaft surface. The protrusion-shaped multi-helix microstructure applied a combination of shear stress, pressure, friction, and centrifugal force to MR fluids. Therefore, the AS-MRB can autonomously alter the internal flow state, thus performing the self-homogenization of sedimented particles. Remarkably, vortexes with axis displacement were generated in the MR working gap during the self-homogenization process. This phenomenon facilitated the mass transfer between different fluid layers, as confirmed by the speed reduction and torque test. To accurately describe the real-time rotational speed of the AS-MRB, an impact-introduced dynamic model of the shaft was also proposed. An inductance sensor-based test system was developed to characterize the volume fraction of the particle instantaneously, which is directly pertinent to the evaluation of the anti-sedimentation performance. Severely sedimented MR fluids were introduced into the AS-MRB for the performance evaluation in harsh conditions. The results show that the maximum volume fraction difference Δφmax of the sedimented MR fluid was decreased from 54.02 % to 2.46 % after the homogenization. The maximum shear stress τmax of the sedimented MR fluid was increased from 11.78 % to 80.7 % of that of the initial MR fluid. These demonstrate the strong anti-sedimentation performance of the AS-MRB. Consequently, this study has developed a unique method for solving the sedimentation problem of MR fluids and creates avenues for promoting the application of MR actuators in long-term storage.

Drop impact dynamics of complex fluids: a review.

The impact of fluid drops on solid substrates has widespread interest in many industrial coating and spraying applications, such as ink-jet printing and agricultural pesticide sprays. Many of the fluids used in these applications are non-Newtonian, that is they contain particulate or polymeric additives that strongly modify their flow behaviour. While a large body of experimental and theoretical work has been done to understand the impact dynamics of Newtonian fluids, we as a community have much progress to make to understand how these dynamics are modified when the impact fluid has non-Newtonian rheology. In this review, we outline recent experimental, theoretical, and computational advances in the study of impact dynamics of complex fluids on solid surfaces. Here, we provide an overview of this field that is geared towards a multidisciplinary audience. Our discussion is segmented by two principal material constitutions: polymeric fluids and particulate suspensions. Throughout, we highlight promising future directions, as well as ongoing experimental and theoretical challenges in the field.

Monitoring and analysis on shrinkage behavior of post-combined orthotropic steel-naturally cured UHPC composite deck

Shrinkage of naturally cured Ultra-high Performance Concrete (UHPC) at an early age may induce considerable secondary stress on steel-UHPC composite decks and even UHPC cracks, which can result in durability and safety problems. A novel post-combined steel-UHPC composite bridge deck was presented in this paper. Particularly, UHPC at the parts with group-arranged stud connectors on the steel deck was not cast until the rest parts without studs shrunk to a certain extent. The secondary stress was expected to be reduced by this post-combination operation. Two full-scale segmental steel-UHPC composite decks were prepared for monitoring and simulation. According to the monitoring results of the initial 240 h, the shrinkage-induced UHPC strain developed much more rapidly in the specimen with the novel post-combination operation while the induced compressive steel strain was 20 % lower. It was consistent with the simulation analysis results works with assumed time-dependent material constitutions. Furthermore, parametric analysis work was conducted to investigate the effects of post-combination operation details on the low shrinkage constraint feature, which includes the free shrinkage extent at the part without studs and the stud configuration details in particular. The research outcome provides an efficient way of addressing the shrinkage-induced problems in steel-UHPC composite decks.

Too soon to know: Exploring the conditions of existence of the constituent power—Afterword to the Foreword by Sergio Verdugo

Abstract This Afterword takes up the challenge presented by Sergio Verdugo’s Foreword and explores how Costantino Mortati formulated the concept of material constitution to address the questions raised by both Verdugo and proponents of constituent power theory. This Afterword contends that the material constitution tackles the problem of the socio-political foundations of the constitutional regime without falling into some of the conceptual pitfalls that Verdugo identifies in constituent power theory. However, the materialist approach does carry a risk of manipulation, which can only be resolved by clarifying the nature of the constituent activity involved in founding a constitution. This innovative perspective refines what we can expect from a theory of constituent power. To develop the argument, this Afterword elucidates the concept of the material constitution, examines its relationship with constituent power theory, and discusses the limitations of the materialist approach.

Computational framework for the evaluation of the composition and degradation state of metal heritage assets by deep learning

The accurate assessment of the material constitution and degradation in newly discovered archaeological artefacts is paramount for the decisions surrounding a thorough treatment of the object during the restoration and conservation stages. The laboratories possess competent experts and complex devices to perform this analysis properly. Nevertheless, a timely hint of an artificial intelligence assistant regarding the chemical composition and corrosion compound localization of a metal asset could save additional time and resources. The present paper proposes such a computational framework based on deep learning techniques that, on the base of its automatic determination of the chemical concentration of the predominant metal from a microscope image, can subsequently independently also recognize and delineate the corrosion spots of the products specific to that metal. The experiments have been performed on iron and copper heritage items from the Oltenia Museum, Romania. The results suggest that, even with an economic training information in terms of microscope images and annotations, the artificial intelligence framework can provide on-site support for an early examination of metal heritage assets.

The metaphysics of personhood in Confucian role ethics

Inspired by early Confucian texts such as the Analects, Mencius, and Xunzi, defenders of Confucian role ethics argue that persons are constituted by their social roles and relationships. However, this has the puzzling implication that persons cannot survive changes in social roles and relationships. This paper proposes ways to understand this claim by appealing to the notions of essence, material constitution, and four-dimensionalism. In particular, it will be suggested that role ethicists should distinguish biological humans from persons and should say either that (i) persons are materially constituted by biological humans, or that (ii) persons are four-dimensional objects that merely overlap with biological humans. There has thus far not been much contact between early Chinese philosophy and contemporary metaphysics in this vein. A secondary goal of this paper is to demonstrate that views in early Chinese philosophy can be examined within frameworks from contemporary metaphysics, and furthermore, that the results include novel theses not yet recognized in contemporary metaphysics.

Non-Destructive Examination of Metallic Idols and Statues in Religious Institutions - A Case Study

Religious institutions typically have idols, statues and other items made up of different metals and alloys. The Hindu religion involves idol worship on a daily basis regularly over the course of a year. Most of the temples are hundreds of years old. Centuries of handling the idols leads to their exposure to water, acids, alkalies, environmental conditions and stresses. Degradation in quality and loss of properties is expected. Thus, determining the condition and quality of the various idols becomes imperative. Nondestructive examination of a 16th Century Hindu temple was carried out in the Maharashtra state of India. The objective was to determine the material constitution and construction method for the idols for conservation, preservation and re-constitutional purposes. The NDE methods used included Positive Material Identification using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Computerised Radiography (CR). Material constituents of the idols were determined. Internal conditions and flaws such as cracks, disjoints, disbonds were also looked at. A conclusion was drawn regarding the condition and future life of the idols. It was also determined whether NDE can be effectively used for carrying out remaining life assessment of art and cultural artefacts and its use in their restoration. Determination of century-old technologies and their comparison with present-day technologies can also be evaluated.

Ruling by information, governing by records: the spoken and written grammar of power in post-communal Italy (c. 1350–1520)

ABSTRACTRecent research has widely emphasized the role of public written records and data-managing strategies in late-medieval governmental growth. The necessity to control information and to assure that a timely stream of news and communications circulated among the various components of a composite domain became central for princes and governments. Such a need was translated into new documentary techniques and archival organization by the endless work of many professionals at various territorial levels. However, the increasing recourse to recorded information was a multifaceted phenomenon. To better understand its complexity, the essay will investigate the intersection of spoken and written strategies of information-gathering and negotiation. Secondly, the paper will also take into account the ambivalent dynamics underlying the recording of the various means required not only to rule a composite territorial domain, but also to control its administrative, judicial and fiscal geography. Whereas the use of written records became the norm for the establishment of a new political order, that practice sometimes, and for different reasons, also contributed to preserving the memory of a different past. In order to adequately capitalize on late-medieval Italy’s complexity, the essay will examine different records and different contexts. The examples will be taken from a set of composite polities in post-communal northern and central Italy (ranging from Milan to Florence or Mantua) which shared some common features, but which were also different in size, strength, ideological models and material constitution. The considered timespan will be a long Quattrocento going from the mid-fourteenth to the early sixteenth century.

A study to characterize the mechanical properties and material constitution of adult descending thoracic aorta based on uniaxial tensile test and digital image correlation.

The mechanical properties and material constitution of the aorta are important in forensic science and clinical medicine. Existing studies on the material constitution of the aorta do not satisfy the practical requirements of forensic and clinical medicine, as the reported failure stress and failure strain values for human aortic materials have a high dispersion. In this study, descending thoracic aortas were obtained from 50 cadavers (dead within 24h) free of thoracic aortic disease, aged from 27 to 86 years old, which were divided into six age groups. The descending thoracic aorta was divided into proximal and distal segments. A customized 4-mm cutter was used to punch a circumferential and an axial dog-bone-shaped specimen from each segment; the aortic ostia and calcification were avoided. Instron 8,874 and digital image correlation were used to perform a uniaxial tensile test on each sample. Four samples from each descending thoracic aorta produced ideal stress-strain curves. All parameter-fitting regressions from the selected mathematical model converged, and the best-fit parameters of each sample were obtained. The elastic modulus of collagen fiber, failure stress, and the strain showed a decreasing trend with age, while the elastic modulus of elastic fiber showed an increasing trend with age. The elastic modulus of collagen fiber, failure stress, and strain of circumferential tensile were all greater than those for axial tensile. There was no statistical difference in model parameters and physiological moduli between the proximal and distal segments. The failure stress and strain in the proximal circumferential, distal circumferential, and distal axial tensile were all greater for the male group than for the female group. Finally, the Fung-type hyperelastic constitutive equations were fitted for the different segments in different age groups.

Toxicological potential of Aloysia gratissima: Insights from chemical analysis and in vitro studies

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAloysia gratissima leaves are popularly used to treat respiratory, digestive, and nervous system disorders. Several studies have been carried out to determine the biological activity of A. gratissima, such as its antibacterial and anti-edematogenic activities, but despite the beneficial uses of A. gratissima, few studies have examined the toxicological profile of this plant.Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition, cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic potential, and antioxidant activity of an aqueous extract of A. gratissima leaves (AG-AEL). Material and methodsThe phytochemical constitution of AG-AEL was assessed by colorimetric analyses and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The inorganic elements were detected by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). The antioxidant, cytotoxicity, genotoxic, and mutagenic activities were evaluated in vitro by Di(phenyl)-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium (DPPH), Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, comet assay, and Salmonella/microsome assays. ResultsAG-AEL indicated the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. HPLC detected rutin at 2.41 ± 0.33 mg/100 mg. PIXE analysis indicated the presence of Mg, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, and Zn. The 50% inhibitory concentration was 84.17 ± 3.17 μg/mL in the DPPH assay. Genotoxic effects were observed using the Comet assay in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells and mutations were observed in TA102 and TA97a strains. The extract showed cytotoxic activities against ovarian (OVCAR-3), glioblastoma (U87MG), and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines. ConclusionsIn conclusion, AG-AEL increased DNA damage, induced frameshift, and oxidative mutations, and showed cytotoxic activities against different cancer cells. The in vitro toxicological effects observed suggest that this plant preparation should be used with caution, despite its pharmacological potential.

“When the overseas provinces are called by the Constitution” (About the constitutional status of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, 1837-1898)

ABSTRACT This article discusses the relationship between constitution and colonies in Spain. Since 1837, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines were expressly excluded from the formal constitutions of the metropolis. Differently to the type of constitutionalism from which they were expelled, the colonies, however, seemed to retain a real and material constitution, defined by geographers with geographic criteria, which ultimately served to uphold the whole political discourse concerning the particularities of nations overseas as well as to justify, in constitutional terms, their exclusion from the series of Spanish constitutions until the final collapse of their colonial regime in 1898.